CBL - Module Overview

 

Cells - The Building Blocks of Life

Introduction A child's toy building blocks spell out "cells."

We agree that the cell is the basic building block of life, but what exactly is the function of a block? Unlike the elementary blocks that are most familiar, the cell is not made up of the same material throughout with a single function. Rather, the makeup of a single cell consists of MANY DIFFERENT elements with different functions. Imagine that! A single cell, not even visible to the human eye, possesses superpowers of that nature.  Are you ready?  Let's begin to explore the structure and the function of the human cell.

Essential Questions

  • What terms describe the parts of the cell?
  • What substances are broken down inside the cell?
  • How is energy generated inside the cell?
  • How do cells reproduce?
  • Does cell integrity change as the human body ages?
  • Are there pathophysiological conditions that affect cell function?
  • What are the different types of tissue found in the human body?
  • How does the function of each tissue type differ?

Key Words

  1. Cells - smallest units of life.
  2. Cell Membrane - the outer protective covering of the cell.
  3. Centrosome - the centriole containing region of clear cytoplasm adjacent to the cell nucleus.
  4. Chomatin-   a complex of a nucleic acid with basic proteins (as histone) in eukaryotic cells that is usually dispersed in the interphase nucleus and condensed into chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis.
  5. Cytoplasm - the material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.    
  6. Cytokinesis   - the division of the cytoplasm of a plant or animal cell into two.
  7. Endoplasmic reticulum -   network of interconnected structures that function especially in the transport of materials within the cell.
  8. Genes -   the structures that carry inherited characteristics.
  9. Genome- a total set of chromosomes with the genes they contain, consisting of strings of DNA Nucleotides.  
  10. Golgi Apparatus - a cytoplasmic organelle that consists of a stack of smooth membranous saccules and associated vesicles and that is active in the modification and transport of proteins.
  11. Glycolysis - the breakdown of glucose inside of the cell.
  12. Lysosomes - a saclike cellular organelle that contains various hydrolytic (digestive) enzymes.
  13. Meiosis - form of celluar reproduction specific to sex cells in all sexually reproducing single celled and multicelled eukaryotes.
  14. Mitochondria - found outside the nucleus.   Responsible for producing energy for the cell through the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.  
  15. Mitosis - form of cellular reproduction that occurs in the nucleus of a dividing cell resulting in the formation of two new nuclei each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.
  16. Nucleolus - located inside the nucleus.   Responsible for the production of ribosomes.
  17. Nucleus - a mass located in the cytoplasm of a cell, separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear membrain, Considered the control center of the cell.
  18. Organ - a differentiated structure (as a heart or kidney) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism.
  19. Organelles - a specialized cellular part (as a mitochondrion or ribosome) that is analogous to an organ.
  20. Pinocytic Vesicles - pocketlike folds located in the cell membrane allowing the entrance and storage of large molecules such   as proteins and fats.
  21. Tissues -   an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue.
  22. Protoplasm - the basic substance of all life; this substance forms the cell.  
  23. Stem cells - an unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells.  
  24. System - a group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions.
  25. Vacuoles -   pouchlike storage structures located throughout the cytoplasm.  
  26. Hypertrophy - cells enlarge caused by an increase of proteins in the cell membrane and cell structures, not an increase in the cell's fluid.
  27. Hyperplasia - the number of cells increases; there is an increased rate of cell division.
  28. Dysplasia - the size, shape, or organization of mature cells becomes abnormal; also called atypical hyperplasia.
  29. Neoplasia - the formation of tumors, either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous ( benign).
  30. Cell Cycle - the series of events involving the growth, replication, and division of a eukaryotic cell.

 

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